Raining almonds!

Almonds: packed full of protein, fibre, calcium, magnesium, potassium (yes, 3 of the 4 most alkaline minerals) vitamin E and other antioxidants and phytochemicals - and unsaturated fat.

If possible, remember to soak your almonds overnight in order to increase the potential for the body to digest the nutrients and goodness...

HEALTH BENEFITS:

*Regulates cholesterol: Regular consumption of almonds helps to increase the level of high density lipoproteins (HDL) and reduce the level of low density lipoproteins (LDL), thereby effectively controlling cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is called bad cholesterol.

*Good for heart: Mono-saturated fat, protein and potassium contained in almonds are good for the heart. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart diseases. The presence of magnesium in almonds helps to avoid heart attacks.

*Regulates blood pressure: Potassium present in almond helps to regulates blood pressure. Almonds are very low in sodium which also helps in containing blood pressure.

*Good for brain: Almond is a source of many nutrients which helps in brain development. Almond induces high intellectual level.

*Prevention of cancer: Almond improves the movement of food through the colon, thereby preventing colon cancer.

*Protection against diabetes: Almond also helps in reducing the rise in sugar and insulin levels after meals. This offers protection from diabetes.
Good in pregnancy: Almond contains folic acid. Folic acid helps to ensure no birth defects in newborn babies.

*Reduce weight: Unsweetened almond milk helps one to reduce weight. The mono-saturated fat contained in almonds satisfies appetite and prevents over-eating. Studies have revealed that almond rich low calorie diet is good for obese people to assist in shedding their weight.

*Avoids constipation: Almond contains fiber. Fiber rich food help avoid constipation.

*Boosts energy: The presence of Manganese, Copper and Riboflavin helps in energy production.

*Prevent Gallstones: Regular consumption of nuts helps reduce the risk of developing Gallstones by about 25 percent.

One avoids the risk of Alzheimer's disease by consuming almonds. Consumption of almonds is also good for improving complexion and boosting immunity.

So...stock up on those almonds...(unsalted and unroasted)

All about avocados...

Avocados don't ripen until after they are picked.

They are ripe when they yield to a gentle squeeze on the round end.

If you buy them and they are hard, let them sit out on the counter for 3 to 5 days...OR...to help them ripen faster, put them in a paper bag with a banana or apple and let sit at room temperature for 1 to 3 days.

Once your avocado is ripe, you can store it in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. Do not place a hard avocado in the fridge. The skin will turn darker, but it will not ripen.

You can FREEZE avocado! Not whole or in slices, but as a puree. Just empty the avocado into a bowl and mix it with lime juice ( 1 T per two avocados). Put into container with lid, leaving room at the top for expansion during freezing, and freeze up to 5 months! Plan to use the puree within 3 days at most after thawing it, and drain off any water before using it.

To help prevent browning, put plastic wrap directly on the surface so that no air gets at it.

HEALTH BENEFITS:
Did you know that avocados have several health benefits? Scientists have proved that a certain toxin present in avocados is able to kill cancer cells - it is used both in prevention and treatment of prostate and breast cancers. Furthermore, potassium in avocado can regulate pressure of blood, and oleic acid in avocado can be used to lower cholesterol level in the blood.

Now go buy your box of avocados!! :)

Time for DINNER!

I'm still learning, so I don't know if I'm eating totally alkaline yet, but here is a simple meal for dinner. All of my family enjoyed it, except Addyson wasn't too fond of the fish...

Salmon (fresh is best, but frozen is next best)

Brown Rice with black beans and pico (go light on the rice)

Broccoli (again...fresh is better)

Here is a really yummy recipe for the Salmon:

Ingredients (Makes 3 servings)
1/2 cup cilantro, stems removed, chopped
1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil, separated
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 lb salmon fillet (3 small)
Directions
1Grease pan with 1T olive oil.
2Place fillets, skin side down in an 8x8 baking dish.
3Combine cilantro, garlic, lime juice, remaining olive oil, and (if desired) salt in a small bowl.
4Pour mixture over fish.
5Bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes, to desired doneness. (Thicker fillets will require additional time.).

ENJOY!!

A 2 year old who likes carrots and hummus??

Yes...that's right...Addyson pulls out the hummus and bag of carrots and announces that it is "hers..." It is one of her favorite snacks... I'm finding that as I eliminate the sugary snacks, my girls get hungry enough to try the healthy snacks, and find that they actually like them!

How do I start?

This way of eating does seem overwhelming (that's why it's been 2 years for me to actually do something), but I've just taken things slow because I knew I would get burned out if I did too much all at once. I feel really passionate about it, and I don't feel it's something I'm going to give up on. I don't see myself going back to what I thought was healthy before.

Here are some tips if you want to try to eat more alkaline:

So...WHAT should I do first?

#1 You can start out at your local grocery store, and just spend most of your time in the produce section. If you don't have the money to buy all organic, then NO worries...just get the next best thing... Load up on vegetables to snack on like cucumber, carrots, celery, tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, spinach, green/red/orange peppers, broccoli, cabbage, zucchini, peas, etc. Buy vegetables that you are used to eating, and then a couple new vegetables to try. We buy hummus and almond butter (like peanut butter) for dipping our vegetables. Go easy on the fruit (it's not as alkanizing as vegetables)...we eat bananas, grapes, pears, oranges, cantaloupe, grapefruit and pineapple mostly...You can find a list of alkanizing food HERE.

#2 Switch from white rice to brown rice or quinoa (you can find this in the health food section), and red, new potatoes from bakers...eliminate all meat except fresh water fish, like Salmon and Trout (I have yet to try this...we're still going through the last of the hamburger meat and chicken in our freezer). NO more bread with yeast and flour. We have substituted sprouted wheat tortillas for bread.

#3 Change from cow's milk to rice, almond or soy milk. My girls just have it on their cereal in the morning. Most grocery stores will have this. We like the regular non-sweetened rice milk. Start emptying your fridge of cottage cheese, deli meat, sour cream, ketchup, margarine, butter, mayo, mustard, soy sauce (we use Bragg's instead), fruit juice, and hard cheese...Your fridge will start looking empty, except for the vegetables and fruits. :)

#4 Try 2-3 recipes a week, and keep track of the ones that you like. I have found a lot of recipes in the book "Ph Miracle" but you can google alkaline recipes as well...

#5 Drink lots of water (preferably distilled water or reverse-osmosis water) I buy bottled spring water. I like to squeeze a lime in a glass of water. Try some "green" drinks for breakfast in the morning.

Minty Mock Malt

(serves 2)

1/2 english cucumber or 1 regular cucumber (skinned)

Juice of 1 lime

Juice of 1 grapefruit

1 avocado

1 cup raw spinach

1/2 can coconut milk (opt) or

2-4 sprigs of fresh mint leaves (opt)

14 ice cubes

Mix in blender until smooth...

You can even leave the ice cubes out and freeze the malt into pops for the kids! I'm going to try this when it warms up again...

#6 The KEY is to not get overwhelmed. Do what works for your family. Let them see you eating healthy, and most likely, they will want to try what you're eating eventually. I have been suprised at what my kids have tried and what they like. They all love spinach and avocado. Addyson loves to dip her carrots in hummus (she is 2 1/2...and one of my pickier eaters).

#7 DON'T buy tempting snacks and cookies! Pretty soon, your taste buds will change, and it will be easier...! Don't be hard on yourself if you eat a few cookies either. Just balance it out with healthy eating...tomorrow is a new day... :) Don't go out to eat...try to resist.

All of us know someone who has cancer, diabetes, or other health issues in their lives. I don't believe this is really a cure "ALL" necessarily, but you have to wonder WHY there is so much disease, weight problems, cancer, etc in our day. WHAT is going on? I am starting to realize that what we put into our bodies is much more important than most of us realize.

We need to be careful what we put in our body. Not just obstaining from alcohol, tea, coffee, tobacco, caffeine. I feel like for our body to work how it was intended, we need to feed it "premium" foods...It just makes sense. It's just hard because it seems so foreign and out of the norm for many of us...

I KNOW it will make a difference in your life. It already has in mine... I've noticed SUCH a difference. Especially in my energy...and I haven't been sick in over a year. Now THAT is motivation for me.

Cabbage Almond Salad

This is an all-around favorite. Really refreshing, healthy, tasty and filling...

Salad:


1 Head green cabbage

3-4 Green onions (use the whole onion...white and green part)

1/2 package buckwheat soba noodles (found in the health food section)
or you may be able to use roman noodles

Toasted sesame and almonds



Dressing:



1/2 cup grape seed oil

Juice of 1 lime

Stevia (about 1/2 tsp) this is a natural sweetener that won't raise blood sugar

1/4 tsp Real Salt (or to taste)

Whisk together


Chop cabbage and green onions. Place in a large bowl. Cook noodles and rinse with cold water to cool. Toast almonds and sesame in grape seed oil on medium heat until golden. Let cool...add to cabbage and green onion mix. Then dress and toss.

Enjoy!

Out with the old...in with the new...

We've been filling our fridge up with lots of veggies and fruits lately...slowly using up the last of the margarine, butter, milk, cheese, sandwich meat, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, etc. It looks pretty empty right now actually...I've been trying to introduce different foods to the girls. A lot they have already decided that they don't like. Brynley REALLY likes cucumbers, but Brooklyn and Addyson don't. Brooklyn REALLY likes tomatoes, but Brynley and Addyson don't...Addyson will eat carrots, but Brynley and Brooklyn don't really like them. BUT, they all like avocados...So, it's been a little difficult trying out different things, but we'll get there eventually. I was SHOCKED that they all tried the broccoli soup that I made the other day...it was even a little hard for me to swallow...lol. I think I put too much salt in it. I think the secret is in the seasoning, and I kind of messed it up.

I'm not totally eliminating everything the girls are used to eating, but I'm trying to introduce more veggies and fruits. We have already switched from regular 1% milk to Almond Milk...Peanut Butter to Almond Butter...Bread to Sprouted Wheat Tortillas...white rice to Brown rice or Quinoa...Canned veggies to fresh veggies...Soy Sauce to Braggs...So ya...we're working on it. The girls still eat their cereal in the morning with almond milk, and we have some sprouted wheat english muffins that they really like (Which aren't totally alkaline because of the yeast, but it's a step). Brooklyn told her teacher the other day that our family is trying to eat healthier, so I'm glad they notice and they are willing to try out new foods.